A man who was acting out the role of one of the Three Kings in an Epiphany parade has died after the throne he was riding in hit an overhead cable and overturned in southern Spain, officials said.

The 20-year-old, whose identity has not been disclosed, had been playing King Balthazar during yesterday's parade in the town of Nijar when a cable caused his throne to topple off the chariot it had been placed on, mayor Antonio Jesus Rodriguez said.

The young man died of his injuries early today, Almeria's Torrecardenas hospital said.

Towns and cities across Spain hold parades every January 5 to cheer - according to Christian tradition - the arrival of the Magi bearing gifts for the baby Jesus.